Alec Ryncavage

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix =

| name = Alec Ryncavage

| honorific-suffix =

| image = Alec Ryncavage 2023.jpg

| alt =

| state_house = Pennsylvania

| district = 119th

| term_start = January 3, 2023

| term_end =

| predecessor = Gerald Mullery

| successor =

| prior_term =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|3|27}}

| birth_place = Pennsylvania, U.S.

| death_date =

| restingplacecoordinates =

| birthname =

| party = Republican

| otherparty =

| spouse =

| partner =

| relations =

| children =

| parents =

| residence = Plymouth, Pennsylvania, U.S.

| alma_mater = Wyoming Valley West High School

| website = [https://repryncavage.com/ repryncavage.com]

}}

Alec Joseph Ryncavage{{cite web |title=2022 General Election Tuesday, November 8, 2022 Official Returns LUZERNE |url=https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/General/CountyResults?countyName=LUZERNE&ElectionID=94&ElectionType=G&IsActive=1 |website=electionreturns.pa.gov |publisher=Pennsylvania Department of State |access-date=11 January 2023}} (born March 27, 2001) is an American businessman and politician. He is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 119th District since 2023.

Early life and career

Ryncavage was born on March 27, 2001,{{cite web |title=Alec Ryncavage 🇺🇸 (@alecryncavage) |url=https://twitter.com/alecryncavage |website=Twitter |access-date=8 January 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Jan |title=Meet the 2023-24 Pa. General Assembly: Diversity, historic firsts and a doc in the House |url=https://www.pennlive.com/news/2023/01/meet-the-2023-24-pa-general-assembly-diversity-historic-firsts-and-a-doc-in-the-house.html |access-date=3 January 2023 |work=PennLIVE Patriot-News |publisher=Advance Local Media LLC |date=January 3, 2023}} in Pennsylvania,{{cite web |title=Alec Ryncavage |url=https://archives.house.state.pa.us/people/member-biography?ID=9562 |website=Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives |access-date=14 January 2023}} to Danielle and David Ryncavage, Sr.{{cite news |last1=Buffer |first1=Michael P. |title=Danielle and David Ryncavage Sr., Alec's parents |url=https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/danielle-and-david-ryncavage-sr-alecs-parents/article_3c29e645-df2c-5479-8fa0-fa3c5a5c7efb.html |access-date=24 April 2023 |work=The Citizens' Voice |publisher=Times-Shamrock |date=April 17, 2020}} He was raised Catholic. While still in junior high school, Ryncavage became a freelance web developer, creating his own anti-virus software at age 14.{{cite web |title=Meet Alec |url=https://www.alecforpa.com/meet-alec |website=AlecForPA |access-date=2 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111134029/https://www.alecforpa.com/meet-alec |archive-date=November 11, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Guydish |first1=Mark |title=14-year-old business owner becomes first big donor to Wyoming Valley West foundation |url=https://www.timesleader.com/news/379889/14-year-old-business-owner-becomes-first-big-donor-to-wyoming-valley-west-foundation |access-date=2 December 2022 |work=Times Leader |date=September 1, 2015}} He later founded his own cybersecurity company, CYBIOT.{{cite news |last1=Carroll |first1=Kevin |title=Ryncavage seeking GOP nomination in 119th |url=https://www.timesleader.com/news/1540744/ryncavage-seeking-gop-nomination-in-119th |access-date=2 December 2022 |work=Times Leader |date=February 19, 2022}}

Ryncavage graduated from Wyoming Valley West High School in 2019.{{cite news |last1=Grohotolski |first1=Cody |title=Teenager Sworn in as Plymouth Councilman |url=https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/teenager-sworn-in-as-plymouth-councilman/523-1cd065fd-b504-441e-b994-61fa4925e1a3 |access-date=2 December 2022 |work=WNEP-TV |date=January 6, 2020}}

Political career

In 2019, Ryncavage ran for a seat on the Borough Council of Plymouth, Pennsylvania. His platform included fiscal conservatism and community revitalization.{{cite news |last1=O'Boyle |first1=Bill |title=Ryncavage challenges Williams to debates; he accepts |url=https://www.timesleader.com/news/1551884/ryncavage-challenges-williams-to-debates-he-accepts |access-date=27 March 2023 |work=Times Leader |date=April 21, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=DuPuis |first1=Roger |title=Teen entrepreneur lands $50K investment for WB tech firm |url=https://www.timesleader.com/news/803980/teen-entrepreneur-lands-50k-investment-for-wb-tech-firm |access-date=27 March 2023 |work=Times Leader |date=September 28, 2020}} He won, becoming at age 18 the youngest person ever elected to the council.{{cite news |last1=Blackburne |first1=Carolyn |title=Youngest Borough Council Member Ever Elected in Plymouth |url=https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/youngest-borough-council-member-ever-elected-in-plymouth/523-76729de9-eb93-49c8-8faa-fe4d9853322b |access-date=2 December 2022 |work=WNEP-TV |date=November 6, 2019}}

In 2022, Ryncavage announced his intention to run for Pennsylvania State Representative from the 119th District and replace retiring State Representative Gerald Mullery. He won the Republican primary election and went on to defeat Democratic candidate Vito Malacari in the general election.{{cite news |title=Williams concedes to Ryncavage in state house race |url=https://www.wnep.com/article/news/politics/elections/pa-state-house-results-james-may-john-lombardo-alec-ryncavage-and-tom-williams-kyle-donahue-and-patrick-flynn/523-7780a76c-4014-4c20-9b88-6e8d3c955e4f |access-date=2 December 2022 |work=WNEP-TV |date=May 19, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Carroll |first1=Kevin |title=Ryncavage, Haddock declare victory in House races |url=https://www.timesleader.com/news/1584645/ryncavage-haddock-declare-victory-in-house-races |access-date=2 December 2022 |work=Times Leader |date=November 8, 2022}} At 21 years of age, Ryncavage was the youngest member of the House and the youngest person elected since Michael Cassidy in 1976.{{cite news |last1=Kalinowski |first1=Bob |title=At 21, Ryncavage will become one of youngest legislators in state history |url=https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/at-21-ryncavage-will-become-one-of-youngest-legislators-in-state-history/article_f0d155b0-fafa-55c0-ba3f-4d89904b4eba.html |access-date=17 April 2023 |work=The Citizens' Voice |publisher=Times-Shamrock |date=December 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109234151/https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/at-21-ryncavage-will-become-one-of-youngest-legislators-in-state-history/article_f0d155b0-fafa-55c0-ba3f-4d89904b4eba.html |archive-date=November 9, 2022 |url-status=live}}{{Subscription required|date=October 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Delano |first1=Jon |title=Young voters in Pennsylvania are voting in larger numbers than ever |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/young-voters-pennsylvania-voting-larger-numbers/ |access-date=15 April 2023 |work=KDKA-TV |publisher=CBS News |date=April 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412030008/https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/young-voters-pennsylvania-voting-larger-numbers/ |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |url-status=live}} In the 2024 election, he won with a two-to-one margin against Democratic challenger Megan Kocher.{{cite news |last1=Kalinowski |first1=Bob |title=Rep. Ryncavage cruises to victory in 119th District reelection bid |url=https://www.citizensvoice.com/2024/11/05/rep-ryncavage-cruising-to-victory-in-119th-district-reelection-bid/ |access-date=13 November 2024 |work=The Citizens' Voice |date=November 6, 2024}}

Political positions

Ryncavage defines himself as a "moderate Republican" who grew up in a Democratic family in a heavily Democratic hometown.{{cite news |last1=O'Boyle |first1=Bill |last2=DuPuis |first2=Roger |title=Four vie for spots on Plymouth council |url=https://www.timesleader.com/news/760648/four-vie-for-spots-on-plymouth-council |access-date=27 March 2023 |work=Times Leader |date=October 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101175426/https://www.timesleader.com/news/760648/four-vie-for-spots-on-plymouth-council |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |url-status=live}}

=Abortion=

Ryncavage describes himself as "personally pro-life," but according to himself, has "never supported an outright ban on abortion." He supports exceptions to abortion bans for rape, incest, and protecting the life of the mother. He has indicated support for limiting abortions after 16 to 20 weeks of pregnancy as opposed to Pennsylvania's current limit at 24 weeks.{{cite news |last1=Buffer |first1=Michael P. |title=Candidates for 119th state House seat both claim they're moderates |url=https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/candidates-for-119th-state-house-seat-both-claim-theyre-moderates/article_2229b8a4-63b2-5807-ba9b-a7aec1c7e64b.html |access-date=17 April 2023 |work=The Citizens' Voice |publisher=Times-Shamrock |date=December 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009072041/https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/candidates-for-119th-state-house-seat-both-claim-theyre-moderates/article_2229b8a4-63b2-5807-ba9b-a7aec1c7e64b.html |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live}} Ryncavage opposes late-term abortions and taxpayer-funded abortions.{{cite news |last1=O'Boyle |first1=Bill |title=In 119th Legislative District, it's Malacari versus Ryncavage |url=https://www.timesleader.com/news/1582767/in-119th-legislative-district-its-malacari-versus-ryncavage |access-date=23 December 2022 |work=Times Leader |date=October 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223133541/https://www.timesleader.com/news/1582767/in-119th-legislative-district-its-malacari-versus-ryncavage |archive-date=December 23, 2022}}

=Criminal justice and policing=

Ryncavage opposes defunding the police. When running for Plymouth Borough Council, he voiced support for stricter code enforcement. During his time on council, he advocated for hiring more police officers.{{cite news |last1=Mataloni |first1=Carmella |title=Three vie for 119th State House District |url=https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/three-vie-for-119th-state-house-district-pa-house-of-representatives-alec-ryncavage-plymouth-borough-tom-williams/523-ec143698-570e-47dc-9afe-1b41243e486f |access-date=27 March 2023 |work=WNEP-TV |date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506030701/https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/three-vie-for-119th-state-house-district-pa-house-of-representatives-alec-ryncavage-plymouth-borough-tom-williams/523-ec143698-570e-47dc-9afe-1b41243e486f |archive-date=May 6, 2022 |url-status=live}}

In 2022, Ryncavage supported the passage of the Officer John Wilding Law,{{cite news |last1=Ryncavage |first1=Alec |title=Alec Ryncavage: 119th deserves legislator who believes in safe communities |url=https://www.timesleader.com/opinion/op-ed/1568900/alec-ryncavage-119th-deserves-legislator-who-believes-in-safe-communities |access-date=23 December 2022 |work=Times Leader |date=August 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808173946/https://www.timesleader.com/opinion/op-ed/1568900/alec-ryncavage-119th-deserves-legislator-who-believes-in-safe-communities |archive-date=August 8, 2022 |url-status=live}} which made it a felony should bodily harm come to a law enforcement officer as a result of a suspect fleeing arrest.{{cite web |title=2022 Act 95 |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/li/uconsCheck.cfm?yr=2022&sessInd=0&act=95 |website=Pennsylvania General Assembly |access-date=23 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223133526/https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/li/uconsCheck.cfm?yr=2022&sessInd=0&act=95 |archive-date=December 23, 2022 |url-status=live}}

=Education=

Ryncavage supports school choice and advocates for shifting some state funding from schools to individual students to increase access to private schools. He has said, "I'm not advocating for defunding public schools. ... I just think there needs to be a little bit more competition. If you want the quality of education to increase, if you want the price per student cost to decrease, you need to introduce competition."

=Elections=

Ryncavage supports voter ID and banning no-excuse mail-in ballots. To lessen concerns about voter fraud, Ryncavage opposes the use of ballot drop boxes but does not believe that there have ever been previous instances of mass voter fraud. In 2024, Ryncavage signed a discharge petition that would force a vote in the State House on a proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution that would require voter ID.{{cite news |title=Capitol digest: State senate approves stricter penalties for threats against schools |url=https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/capitol-digest-state-senate-approves-stricter-penalties-for-threats-against-schools/article_51039a78-263f-52a9-9ec7-68dbe26dba61.html |access-date=14 April 2024 |work=The Citizens' Voice |date=April 14, 2024}}

He supports the implementation of open primary elections as a way to deter political extremism.{{cite news |last1=Buffer |first1=Michael P. |title=Candidates debate if family hurts or helps performance as state legislator |url=https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/candidates-debate-if-family-hurts-or-helps-performance-as-state-legislator/article_c636ee64-17e7-5aeb-83ba-f682489e64b7.html |access-date=17 April 2023 |work=The Citizens' Voice |publisher=Times-Shamrock |date=October 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020080633/https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/candidates-debate-if-family-hurts-or-helps-performance-as-state-legislator/article_c636ee64-17e7-5aeb-83ba-f682489e64b7.html |archive-date=October 20, 2022 |url-status=live}}{{Subscription required|date=October 2023}}

=Emergency powers and religious gatherings=

In 2024, Ryncavage announced plans to propose legislation permitting religious gatherings during an emergency declaration. The bill came as a response to prohibitions against large public gatherings, including religious services, during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news |last1=Hall |first1=Taylor |title=Pa. lawmaker introducing bill to protect right to gather for worship in emergency declarations |url=https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/pa-lawmaker-introducing-bill-protect-right-gather-worship-emergency-declarations/YVQOX324HFATBMRXSJUFOGGEEY/ |access-date=12 January 2024 |work=WPXI |publisher=Cox Media Group |date=January 3, 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Ryncavage |first1=Alec |title=Keep Houses of Worship Open Durning States of Emergency {{!}} House Co-Sponsorship Memorandum |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20230&cosponId=41892 |website=Pennsylvania General Assembly |access-date=12 January 2024 |date=January 2, 2024}}

=Environmental policy=

Ryncavage opposes the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and is against banning natural gas.

Ryncavage wants more state and federal government cooperation to clean up old mining sites. He also supports tax credits and incentives for private businesses to reclaim mine land.

=Gun rights=

Ryncavage supports constitutional carry and is a member of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA).{{cite web |title=Issues |url=https://www.alecforpa.com/issues |website=AlecForPA |access-date=23 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111134037/https://www.alecforpa.com/issues |archive-date=November 11, 2022 |url-status=live}} He is concerned with red flag laws potentially violating due process.

=LGBTQ+=

In 2023, Ryncavage and Representative Aaron Kaufer were the only two Republicans in the State House to vote for an LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination bill. He defended his vote, saying the passage of the bill would deter the state government's implementation of more "radical" measures.{{cite news |last1=O'Boyle |first1=Bill |title=Kaufer, Ryncavage stand by LGBTQ bill vote |url=https://www.timesleader.com/news/1607985/kaufer-ryncavage-stand-by-lgbtq-bill-vote |access-date=8 May 2023 |work=Times Leader |date=May 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507064457/https://www.timesleader.com/news/1607985/kaufer-ryncavage-stand-by-lgbtq-bill-vote |archive-date=May 7, 2023 |url-status=live}}

=Cannabis=

Ryncavage supports the legalization of cannabis under a "live and let live" philosophy that "empower[s] individuals to make choices about their own lives, as long as those choices do not harm others," provided the state implements sufficient regulatory system in conjunction. He would also support using cannabis-sourced tax revenue to fund state services.{{cite news |last1=O'Boyle |first1=Bill |title=Area legislators comment on potential legalization of recreational marijuana |url=https://www.timesleader.com/news/1620993/area-legislators-comment-on-potential-legalization-of-recreational-marijuana |access-date=5 October 2023 |work=Times Leader |date=September 24, 2023}}

=Taxation=

Ryncavage supports the elimination of property taxes and supports expanding the homestead tax exemption; he is willing to offset the loss in revenue by increasing sales tax.

Electoral history

{{Election box begin no change |title = 2019 Plymouth Borough Council election{{cite web |title=PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL |url=https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/PA/Luzerne/98370/web/#/detail/0251 |website=Luzerne County, PA General Election November 5, 2019 |publisher=www.scytl.us |access-date=2 December 2022 |date=November 12, 2019}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Bill Dixon

|votes = 690

|percentage = 28.51

}}{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = John Z. Thomas

|votes = 667

|percentage = 27.56

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Alec J. Ryncavage

|votes = 592

|percentage = 24.46

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Adam Morehart

|votes = 454

|percentage = 18.76

}}{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|party = Write-in

|votes = 17

|percentage = 0.70

}}{{Election box total no change

|votes = 2,420

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box begin no change |title = 2022 Pennsylvania House of Representatives Republican primary election, District 119{{cite web |title=REPRESENTATIVE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 119TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT |url=https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/PA/Luzerne/116255/web.307039/#/detail/11 |website=Luzerne County, PA General Election November 8, 2022 |publisher=scytl.us |access-date=2 December 2022 |date=December 1, 2022}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Alec J. Ryncavage

|votes = 3,378

|percentage = 54.47

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Tom Williams

|votes = 2,816

|percentage = 45.40

}}{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|party = Write-in

|votes = 8

|percentage = 0.13

}}{{Election box total no change

|votes = 6,202

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box begin no change |title = 2022 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 119{{cite web |title=REPRESENTATIVE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 119TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT |url=https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/PA/Luzerne/116255/web.307039/#/detail/11 |website=Luzerne County, PA General Election November 8, 2022 |publisher=scytl.us |access-date=2 December 2022 |date=December 1, 2022}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Alec J. Ryncavage

|votes = 12,183

|percentage = 55.45

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Vito Malacari

|votes = 9,772

|percentage = 44.47

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change|votes=17|percentage=0.08}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 21,972

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box gain with party link no change|winner=Republican Party (US)|loser=Democratic Party (US)}}{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change |title=2024 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 119{{cite web |title=Representative in the General Assembly 119th District |url=https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/PA/Luzerne/122840/web.345435/#/detail/13 |website=Luzerne County, PA General Election November 5, 2024 |access-date=23 December 2024|date=December 3, 2024}}}}{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Alec Ryncavage (incumbent)

|votes=18,031

|percentage=62.86

}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party=Democratic Party (US)

|votes=10,623|percentage=37.03

|candidate=Megan Kocher

}}{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|party=Write-in

|votes=16

|percentage=0.06}}{{Election box total no change